News

Buyers on Dip

TODAY: The market will continue to be “news sensitive” with Europe the big player. There is a good chance of a slip to DJIA 12,400 (S&P 500: 1284) today. What’s key here is, are there ready buyers on this dip ? A sharp bounce today or tomorrow would be confirmation that the strength during the first six days of January will continue.

Yesterday I said “Odds for a 600 to 1,000-Point Surge in the DJIA Improving,” that while that may be hard to believe, it can happen.

While fear of a European meltdown has put a lid on stock prices for well over a year, that perception can change and investors must be alert to that possibility.

The euro-problem will be resolved either through a bloodless solution or a scary catharsis, resulting in bank and country casualties, roiled markets, confusion, but a buying opportunity.

The 600 to 1,000 point surge in the DJIA I refer to would be from DJIA 12,400 level. A catharsis in Europe would hammer stock prices temporarily but result in an even greater surge in the DJIA.

PROs and CONs:

Q4 earnings are expected to reflect a slower growth rate than the preceding three quarters of 2011.

The potential for surprise stands to favor positives rather than negatives.

The Stock Trader’s Almanac’s January Early Warning Barometer (S&P 500 first five days January) strongly suggests a plus January, which in turn suggests the strong likelihood of a positive tone of the market for 2012 as a whole.

“Sequestration” will cop headlines which will feature concerns about which government programs will be automatically be slashed as a result of the SuperCommittee’s inability to decide this in its sessions last year. Both the President and Congress can intervene with changes to the automatic cuts which won’t go into effect until next January.

Credit crunch in Europe ?

Depends on who you ask. Barclays Capital says banks are hoarding the ECB’s 489 billion-euro injection into the banking system (523 euro-area lenders). Banks account for 80% of the euro-area’s lending.

Nevertheless, based on comments from companies and the results of polls taken it appears that credit is very tight.

Meanwhile, it is almost certain most of Europe will slip into a recession, with Germany possibly being an exception. Obviously, this would strap governments, companies and individuals even more in coming months.

THE ECONOMY:

After last week’s upbeat economic reports, we get a breather. Comments arising from the Beige Book release may have some impact. Jobless Claims are important in the current cycle to confirm or raise doubts of an economic expansion. Consumer Sentiment reflects the mood of the consumer.

Monday (3 p.m.) Consumer Credit. Surged 10% in November for the biggest one-month increase since Nov. 2001. Revolving credit – credit cards up 8.5% and non-revolving credit (auto loans, etc.) up 10.7%. This suggests an important change in consumer sentiment which can only add to an accelerating economy.

Tuesday: Wholesale Trade (10 a.m.) Indicates sales and inventories held by merchant wholesalers. Inventories increased well below projections in November with a gain of only 0.1 percent vs. a 1,2 percent gain in October.

Wednesday

MBA Applications (7 a.m.) Measures applications at mortgage lenders a reflection of consumer intent in the housing area and economy as a whole, ergo it has a “multiplier effect.” Applications for U.S. home mortgages for the week ended Jan. 6 jumped 4.5%. Refinancings as a percent of the total dropped to 80.8% from 81.9%.

Fed’s Beige Book (2 p.m.) Released two weeks before FOMC meeting, it provides insight into business conditions in 12 Federal Reserve districts, which stand to have an influence on policy decisions at the next meeting.

Retail Sales (8:30) Comprised of the total receipts at stores that sell merchandise and related services to final consumers. Retail Sales grew at a 0.2% rate in Nov., following growth rates of 0.6% in Oct. and 1.3% in Sept.. Growth rates have been bumping along sideways at an annual rate of 4% to 9% since soaring in the last four months of 2009 from recession lows of minus 11%.

Business Inventories (10 a.m.) Comprised of the dollar amount of inventories held by manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Obviously, a rising inventory to sales ratio suggests a decline in sales or alarming rise in inventories which will have to be worked off at the expense of production. To-date the ratio is steady and not of serious concern.

Treasury Budget (2 p.m.) Monthly account of the surplus or deficit of federal government. December expected to run close to breakeven.

Friday:

International Trade (8:30) Comprised of merchandise (tangible goods) and services. International trade balance has posted a deficit since 1980s. Trend to smaller balance adds to GDP growth, increase is drag on growth.

Import/Export Prices (8:30) Can indicate inflationary trends.

Consumer Sentiment (9:55 a.m.)Reuter’s/Univ. of Michigan’s survey of 500 households and is directly related to consumer spending. Improved to 69.9 in Dec. from 64.1 in Nov.. The latest reading implies a strong 72.1 over the last two weeks suggesting momentum will carry into 2012.

Looks like the Merkel/Sarkozy euro-duo is at it again. This

CONCLUSION:

I MAY BE ALONE ON THIS, and WRONG, but there is tooo much at risk here globally for the euro-area countries NOT to develop a solution that strengthens the European Union. I sense this problem is heading at warp speed for a solution that removes the risk of a global meltdown, and that solution most likely means a reduction in euro-area members. That could mean a week of turmoil and confusion somewhat on the order of a stock market selling climax. It could also be the best buying opportunity since early March 2009. It could be devastating to long-term bond values as investors bail out and buy stocks. Then too, solutions could be agreed on that reduce the risk of meltdown without the carnage. This needs to be considered as possible, especially because too few people are seeing it happen.

EUROPEAN UNION/EUROZONE

The European Union [EU] is an economic and political union of 27 sovereign member states with origins going back to 1958, but which was officially established by the Maastricht Treaty in 1993. Its goals are a free movement of goods, services, capital and people differing in life style, language, economies, geography, religion, politics and history.

Important components of the EU include: European Parliament, European Commission, Council of European Union, European Council Court of Justice and European Union, and the European Central Bank.

The euro area [eurozone] is an economic and monetary union [EMU] of 17 member nations that use the “euro” as their common currency and sole legal tender. Its members include: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.

While the goal of single currency originated with the European Economic Community [EEC] in 1969, it was not until 1993 that members were legally bound to start the monetary union no later than January 1, 1999. At that point, the euro was launched after which it was an “accounting” currency until January 1, 2002 when euro notes and coins were issued and national currencies phased out in the eurozone.

The European Central Bank [ECB] is the central bank for the eurozone. Governed by its president, Mario Draghi, and a board of the heads of national central banks, the ECB’s primary responsibility is to maintain the euro’s purchasing power and price stability within the eurozone.

The Eurosystem is the monetary authority of the eurozone comprised of the ECB and the central banks of its member states, which are charged with applying the ECB’s policy.

The European Commission, comprised of one commissioner from each of the 27 member states, represents the interests of the EU, drafts proposals for laws, and manages the day-to-day business and disbursement of funds.

European Banking Authority [EBA]: Established on Jan. 1, 2011 as a regularity agency to conduct stress tests of banks in order to detect weaknesses in capital structure. It has the power to overrule national regulators if necessary to prevent unfair competitive advantages between jurisdictions. It issues a report, Common Reporting Framework [COREP] covering capital requirements regarding credit risk, market risk, operational risk, fund and capital adequacy ratios.

The European Financial Stability Facility [EFSF]: created by eurozone members to safeguard financial stability in Europe. Authority includes loans to countries in need, intervention in primary and secondary markets pursuant to ECB analysis, finance recapitalizations of financial institutions. It is backed by guarantee from the eurozone members for a total of 780 billion euros and has a lending capacity of 440 billion euros. (not considered adequate)

*Stock Trader’s Almanac: The January Barometer was developed by Yale Hirsch in 1972 four years after he began publishing the Almanac in 1968. He and son Jeffrey publish it today. (Must buy – loaded with info that will help make money and preserve capital. – www.stocktradersalmanac.com

**Bloomberg News

***National Journal

………………………………………………………………………………………………

The writer of Investor’s first read, George Brooks, is not registered as an investment advisor. Ideas expressed herein are the opinions of the writer, are for informational purposes, and are not to serve as the sole basis for any investment decision. Readers are expected to assume full responsibility for conducting their own research pursuant to investment decisions in keeping with their tolerance for risk.

DISCLOSURE:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, and do not represent the views of equities.com. Readers should not consider statements made by the author as formal recommendations and should consult their financial advisor before making any investment decisions. To read our full disclosure, please go to: http://www.equities.com/disclaimer